MINNEAPOLIS — Employees at a top-notch restaurant in MinneapolisKim voted to unionize on Thursday, despite some opposition from the owner and award-winning chef Ann Kim.
A majority of workers — 65% — voted “yes” to join Unite Here Local 17, the union for food service and craft beverage workers in Minnesota.
Employees signed a petition in favor of unionization in late May they said they were struggling with wages and scheduling. Kim pushed back, saying the move wasn’t necessary.
Theo Hofrenning spoke to WCCO about why he joined a union.
“Salaries are one thing, but scheduling stability is another,” Hofrenning said. “We are a no-tip restaurant and that also affects the people in the front of house and back of house, because if we’re not making tips, it can be tough.”
He makes $26 an hour and said the cancellation of on-call shifts would directly impact his family. He said he believes a union would give him more control over conditions at work and allow him to be part of the decision-making process.
“From the beginning, it has always been our goal to give our team members the opportunity to participate in fair elections and cast their own votes. It was important to me that everyone’s voice was heard. I respect and look forward to the election results Looking forward to working with the team in the future,” Ann Kim said in a statement.
Earlier this month, the restaurant was destroyed when someone threw a large cement slab and a paint can through the window.
The union released a statement about the vandalism, saying in part that the “city and community face many challenges and these types of incidents are all too common.”
The union also encouraged Minneapolis residents to continue supporting the restaurant.
Kim recently rebranded the restaurant on West 31st Street, formerly Sooki and Mimi, and transformed it into a new restaurant simply called “Sooki and Mimi.” Kim’sThe dishes are based on her Korean-American journey.
